Fly Questions
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DRAIN
FLIES - PSYCHODIDAE:
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Email |
I live in Buffalo, New York. Where
would I find this type of insect near
me? (Thu, 14 Dec 2000) |
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Answer |
The Psychodidae contain the moth
flies and sand flies. We suspect that
you may moth flies in the bathrooms of
some buildings. The moth fly larvae
feed in the pipes on detritus and then
emerge as adults occasionally
appearing on the bathroom walls. This
time of year that would be your best
bet. other times of year you might
find them in more natural settings
where there is wet decaying
vegetation. They can occasionally be
common around sewers and drains.Drain
flies are a common problem in
restaurant sinks and drains, etc. If
fact, they can be a problem in homes
as well. If you are interested in
psychodids, I would contact an
entomology department at your local
university or check out the biological
sciences library for information.
Also, you might try contacting a local
pest control operator for specific
information about finding drain flies
in your local area. |
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ANY
INFORMATION ON PHORID FLIES:
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Email |
What information can you mail or
e-mail to us on phorid flies? We are
experiencing some of these tiny pests
in several areas and would like your
advice on handling this situation.
(Mon, 15 Jan 2001) |
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Answer |
If you have correctly identified the
offending dipterans as phorids then it
is likely they are coming from
decaying vegetation. While members of
the family feed in a wide variety of
habitats, it is probable that the
large numbers you are experiencing are
due to a large amount of decaying
vegitation nearby in which they are
breeding. Elimating the decaying
vegitation would be the best way to
eliminate, or at least reduce your
problem. If they are another family of
fly, they may be coming from a
different source. But they could also
be coming from some organic source in
which the larvae are feeding. Spraying
for the flies will likely not work for
very long since a continued source of
food will attract more flies and
necessitate perpetual control. |
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PHORID
FLIES & POSSIBLE DISEASES:
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Email |
Now we need to know if these are a
disease-carrying danger. This is a
health care facility, so they could be
more than just a nuisance. Our
engineering department has tried 'home
remedies' such as spraying, etc., but
now has called in a professional
exterminator. Again, thanks for your
information. (Tue, 16 Jan 2001) |
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Answer |
We know of no cases where Phorids
have been linked to any disease
transmission in humans. Again, if they
are correctly identified as Phorids,
then they are just taking advantage of
a food resource near your building. If
however, there are other families of
fly also breeding in large numbers,
you may have a sanitation problem. If
the food source persists you will
probably have to continue to spray
regularly to control the problem since
more flies will always come back to
the food source. Your best bet would
be to eliminate the food source.
Perhaps a rapid composting program
would reduce the length of time
suitable food (rotting vegetation) was
available to the flies. But that is
something you would need ot
investigate. |
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CONTROLLING
MOTH FLIES:
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Email |
Please send information on how to
control these moth flies. (Tue, 6 Feb
2001) |
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Answer |
Moth flies, or bathroom flies, are
typically associated with moist
places, the larvae feed in organic wet
areas like tree holes, or drains, or
sink traps. So if your problem is
indoors it might be tough to fix
without an examination of your
plumbing. These insects are not
harmful, or interested in food,
clothing etc... Therefore, depending
on the number of insects you are
seeing you may not want to use
pesticide control measures. Typically
these insects will only occasionally
show up and there will be long periods
where they are not seen. If you are
regularly seeing large numbers, it is
possible you have a large area of
plumbing that is stopped up. Or you
have an outside source like a seep
from from the flies are coming. |
